I stumbled onto most of a 50’ roll of 16 gauge 1/2”x1” hardware cloth I had bought a couple years ago. Thought I’d turn it out some colony traps and wondered what everyone’s preference was. The 5”, 6” and 7” ones that slip inside each other or the collapsible style?

8x16x24 four doors with a bite bar. Was my favorite.
I like bite bars.
It would depend on my address.

I bought 4 dozen 6x6x 24 collapsibles a few years ago,they worked fine for what I am doing. I have about thirty tube traps under construction.

Prefer 12" round funnel type. Bulky, cumbersome compared to square/collapsible ones. Tried multiple sizes, shapes, materials etc. through the years. Set the funnel in a den run and pick it up the next day - all rats that travel the run are caught. Use them between beaver dams where the stream narrows. This works for me. .....................the mike

6,7,8 x 24 that nest. 5 inch are about useless, Funnel traps are to bulky, Fill the boat or pickup way to fast.

Bigger always better . If you're trying to save space, make multiple sizes that you can nest traps together.

As a guy that has to use cages in two states is….. bite me on the bite door

I used up the rest of the roll. Ended up with two sets of 6,7,8x24. You'll have to forgive my ignorance but is a bite bar critical. I've been trapping pretty much all my life but have rarely used colony traps. I understand the concept of a bite bar but are rats going to really tear up a 16 gauge colony trap in the few minutes it take to drown them? Not trying to call anyone out over this, I am truly curious about it. And where is the optimal placement?

Bite bar keeps them from locking on the door making it harder to open.

What is the preferred placement of the bar?

Pictures needed

I found that the whole trap is a bite bar. I don't use them and most if not, all rats will have thier teeth hooked in the top section of the trap.

I agree almost all rats will be in the corner or top locked in. I did see where a colony trap door was an inch or two under the edge where you would normally put the top of the door. They added a section of 1x2 or 1x1 across the front along the top, then put the door on to the bottom of the section across the top . This way the rats would be up in the corner or above the door and the door could still swing freely. I know I saw a pic on it here somewhere. Hopefully someone can put it in

Look up two posts

Bs,,,,, cage for a while and learn